Night-time crime reduction in St Helens town centre

Partnership working between St Helens Police, St Helens Borough Council and local licensed premises has helped reduce night-time economy crime, with new statistics revealing the success of coordinated community safety efforts.

Statistics from 1st April to 31st August show year-on-year reductions for 2024 and 2025. Assaults in the town centre have decreased by 19%. Criminal damage has fallen by 3%. Other crimes, where the location has been recorded as a licensed premises, have dropped by 35%.

These improvements reflect the ongoing commitment of the St Helens Neighbourhood Policing Team, which has been supporting the Government's Safer Streets Summer initiative as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. The initiative, running from July through September, builds upon the essential work police and partners carry out throughout the year to keep the public safe.

St Helens Borough Council has been running its own 'Safe Nights, Great Places' initiative to complement this national campaign. This campaign promotes the town's night-time economy and highlights the comprehensive safety measures in place. It celebrates St Helens as a destination where residents and visitors can enjoy a safe night out. The campaign showcases the town's Purple Flag accreditation, a national recognition of St Helens as a well-managed and secure night-time destination.

The partnership approach extends to licensed venues where staff play a crucial role in maintaining safety standards. Through initiatives such as Pubwatch, enhanced staff training, and the implementation of safety schemes like 'Ask for Angela', local businesses are actively contributing to a safe environment for all.

An important part of this approach has been the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in St Helens town centre. The PSPO provides additional powers to address alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and has been welcomed by residents, businesses and community safety partners. The order covers key areas where persistent issues had been reported and enables officers to take swift action against behaviour that might intimidate others.

Inspector Tara Smith of the St Helens Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We are pleased to see a positive impact being made but we know there is more work to do. Whilst challenges exist, they are being addressed through close partnership working. The town offers great places and opportunities for a night out, and it is only a small minority who may spoil this positive experience.

"These latest figures demonstrate the real difference we can make when we work together with our partners and licensed premises. Our commitment to keeping the night-time economy safe continues year-round, and these results show our collaborative approach is working."

Councillor Trisha Long, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: "Our town centre is packed with great places, pubs, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and early as well as late night spots.

"The tireless work of the Night-Time Economy Forum partners – local businesses, the town centre police team, the council and voluntary organisations – makes it a fantastic, inclusive and well-managed night-time destination.

"Our ‘Safe Nights, Great Places’ campaign showcases that your next great night out is still here, while the town centre undergoes its dramatic and exciting transformation – and it’s never been safer and more supported.

"I am so proud of all the dedicated partnership work that goes on to make this happen and I would ask everyone to come to the town centre to see for yourself and to give support to our local town centre businesses."

Community engagement remains at the heart of the approach, with the Neighbourhood Policing Team maintaining regular contact with local businesses and residents through surgeries in accessible community locations. This ensures that policing responses remain tailored to local concerns and priorities, embodying the principles of the Government's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

The community plays a vital part in helping achieve crime reductions like these by reporting suspicious behaviour and criminal activity. Residents are encouraged to share information with officers to help keep communities safe.

If you have information about crime or anti-social behaviour occurring anywhere in Merseyside, please report it via the social media desk on X @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’, or by reporting on the Merseyside Police website at: www.merseyside.police.uk

Alternatively, you can pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: crimestoppers-uk.org

For more information about St Helens Borough Council’s night-time economy safety initiatives, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/safenights